Hema Malini pays tribute to her mother

Mumbai, June 22 : Bollywood actor Hema Malini yesterday commemorated her mother's fourth death anniversary with an annual dance function named 'Jaya Smriti' in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh inaugurated the function by lighting up the lamp while Bollywood actor Rani Mukherjee was the guest of honour.

Other guests present on the occasion were Pandit Shivkumar Sharma renowned santoor maestro and actor Esha Deol.

Hema conceived this function to pay homage to her mother Jaya Chakravarty, who passed away on June 11, 2004. She was a dedicated Bharatnatyam artiste.

"In this function I am planning to have different classical dances every year and promote the young people. This is the basic idea of Jaya Smriti," said Hema Malini.

"In 2005 we had the first "Jaya Smriti" where me and my sister performed. This is actually a platform to give an opportunity to the young, upcoming classical dancers from all over India to come and show their talent on stage," said Esha Deol.

Meanwhile, Rani expressed her desire to learn Indian classical dance forms.

ANI